Chapter 4:

Hayao Who Yawns

"Education is a full time job that keeps you employed for life!"

My teacher is always saying things like that. He thinks they're motivational, but then again, not many people have ever agreed with him about much.

Especially not Hayao.

Hayao is a boy in my class. He is actually known for being the smartest boy amongst everyone else due to his vast knowledge of what really happens to slugs when you put salt on them and how to attract girls by showing them what's underneath your fingernails. However, it is a known fact Hayao is always tired. Perhaps it is from telling too many stories. At least, that is what most of us have always thought. He would constantly yawn -- his mouth opening big and wide like what happens when you say his name too slowly. Everyone would tease him whenever he yawned, too, saying things like next time why don't ya tell us the abridged version of the Book of Hayao.

Hayao would never pay attention in class. My teacher always hated this. "Wake up, Hayao!" he'd yell, "You'll sleep your life away one of these days, you will!" Now that I think about it, he'd almost never give me that much attention. But that's OK. I like Hayao. He is brave. He would sit there and tell his stories and grin big stupid grins at the teacher and not be afraid.

My teacher once called for a conference with Hayao's parents to talk about how he's always tired. I had to stay as well and wait for teacher, so I sat in my desk in the back of the room pretending to read while in secret, I watched Hayao as a spectator would watch a fearless boxer. Though today, he looked odd and unlike himself -- instead of seeming older and brave, he was a little kid like me and he never looked up, not even once. He sat in between his mother and father with his head sunken in beneath his shoulders.

I remember before the conference, Hayao whispered in my right ear that his parents make him work at their shop after he comes home from school, and that's why he's always tired. However, that's not what his parents said. They simply said that he needed more sleep and would make sure that he got some. His father was an angry man, and would constantly shoot looks at Hayao as if he were staring at a pile of dirty dishes. His mother said next to nothing, and mostly stared out the window, humming a pleasant song that had no beginning or end. Before going home, I remember seeing tears start to run down Hayao's face.

That was a week ago. Nowadays, Hayao does not tell as many stories, nor does he yawn as much, but when he does, I notice that now he is missing a tooth.

He is still good old Hayao, though. Hayao who plays with bugs and girls and who likes grinning but doesn't anymore. Hayao who is brave and smart and isn't afraid of anything except dentist appointments, math tests and going home.